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theinfinitebookcase's reviews
534 reviews
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 4 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 3 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 2 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's a bit hard to rate comic volumes given that they are just a small snippet of a larger story. But I will say for each of these volumes - I adore this story, all the way through. I love this group of friends, and I love the teachers as well. I adore the ways in which the adults in this story seem to actually care about and advise the children, rather than being absent or unavailable as they are in most stories like this. I love the way that mystery of the overall story is slowly unfolding and each time I finish a volume I cannot wait for more.
All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
5.0
I really loved this book. It is an exploration of the concept of "love" - not only romantically, but what the definition of love really may be, how it is expressed in different kinds of relationships, what it means for different kinds of people, and how it affects us when its withheld. This book had an interesting and informative exploration of gender, particularly masculinity, and childhood trauma, and the ways in which we can and should be loving in our everyday lives, and I found it informative and relatable on multiple accounts. While I would advise to be a bit open-minded when reading given that it was published in 1999, over 20 years ago, and may have some out-dated ideas or generalizations, I think it is relevant for the modern reader. This is the kind of book I think we all could learn from.
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am so glad I decided to pick up this series! I adore these characters, the magical world, and the art style. It reminds me a bit of a weird mix of Kiki's Delivery Service and Sailor Moon. I definitely highly recommend the series!
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This was a challenging yet enjoyable book. Due to its heavy subject matter, I wasn't able to binge it by any means. But I did find it interesting, informative, and relatable. I loved and appreciated Zauner's honesty and vulnerability. I also really loved the exploration of her identity as a mixed-race person, and the way that losing her Korean mother challenged that identity for her, and the ways in which she tried to understand/reclaim that identity - mostly, of course, through food. And the food descriptions were delicious and glorious. An emotional, vulnerable, and worthwhile read.
Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition by Maia Kobabe
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
5.0
I absolutely loved this honest and candid graphic memoir about being gender queer. There were moments that made me tear up, moments that made me laugh, moments that informed me, and moments I found relatable. A beautiful and, in my opinion, incredibly important book.
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed this! I expected it to be slow since it is so long, but it was a surprisingly well-paced adventure. Bardugo definitely had me on the edge of my seat at times and fooled more than once, which I love. I really liked following some of our favorite characters (Nikolai, of course, and Zoya and Nina) and also getting to know some new characters better. I definitely think Bardugo's writing has gotten better with each Grishaverse book so I'm excited to see what comes next! (Hopefully more Nikolai).
Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A quick and fun read if you want to know more about the Darkling's past and motivations. I think this story puts some things in perspective and explains some of his behavior and motivation. Not necessary for Shadow & Bone fans but a fun read if you want a little something extra or are (for some reason) a really big fan of Aleksander. I particularly enjoyed the art style and graphic novel format.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It is so hard to wrap up my thoughts and feelings about this book; I feel I can't do it justice. Kuang did such an incredible job at exploring colonialism and its effects. Our main character has to grapple essentially with siding with those in power who can provide him a sense of social and financial safety (choosing survival) versus siding with those who are being harmed by the ones in power (including those in his hometown). I also couldn't help but care about these characters, even when I knew at the same time that some of them couldn't be trusted. This is my first book by Kuang and I am really looking forward to reading more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, and War